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VOLUME XXXIX No. 3 (Cons. #207)
MAY - JUNE 2006
EDWARD SCHUMAN, Editor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Our Orgaruzatton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .....2
President's Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... 3
The Editor's Page ............... ............................................4
Piotrkow............................... ..... ..................................... 5
The Story ofBar Kochba ........ .................................. ... ... 8
Can You Detect The Background pictures
In the New Israeli Banknotes
By Shmuel Aviezer. ......................................:......... 12
Adolph Von Sonnenthal
By Harold Alter ...................................................... 14
Warships in the Desert of Ancient Judea
By Marvin Tameanko ............................................16
The Ripples Internment Camp ........................................24
Remembering Isacher Zacharie
By Herb Geduld .................... ....... ......................... 26
The Jewish Community in Oran, Algeria ............................28
The Last Romantic Gentile
By Yaov Tenembaum ............... ... ... ........... .. ........33
The Odessa Horrors ......................................................3 6
The National Jewish Hospital in Denver.............................. 39
HaGibor Sport Club Medal ....................................... .....42
Profile ofa Dealer -Like Father-Like Son ...........................44
A.I.N.A. Dealer Directory .............................................46
Membership Application ...... ... ... ..................................48
ARTICLES PUBLISHED WITH AUTHOR'S NAME ARE , ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS.
STORIES WITHOUT AUTHOR 'S CREDIT HAVE BEEN RESEARCHED BY THE EDITOR
USING JUDAICA DICTIONARIES, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, NEWSPAPERS OR MAGAZINES.
©
2006 American Israel Numismatic Association
ISSN 0087-3486
AllEIUCAll ISltltlll. llJMISllATIC ASSOCIATION
12555 Biscayne Blvd #733 North Miami, FL 33181
Tel 305-4662833 Fax 305-4662834 Email [email protected]
OFFICERS
MEL WACKS, PRESIDENT
JULIUS TUROFF, SECRETARY
FLORENCE SCHUMAN, TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP
The Board of Directors
MEL WACKS, JULIUS TUROFF, FLORENCE SCHUMAN, DONNA SIMS
J.J. VAN GROVER, WILLIAM ROSENBLUM
JOSH PROTTAS, SAGI SALOMON, ROGER J. MERRITT
LAWRENCE GENTILE SR., YOUNG NUMISMATIST COORDINATOR
The American Israel Numismatic Association (A.LN.A.) is o cultural and
eduCationol organization dedicated to the study ond colledion of Israel's coinage,
post and present, and alt aspects of Judaic numismatics. A.l.N.A. is a democratically
organized, membership oriented group, chartered os ·a oot for profit association
under the lows of The State of New York. A.l.N.A.'s primary purpose is the
development of programs, publications, meetings and other activities which will
bring news, history, social and related background to the study ond collection of
Judaic numismatics, and the advancement of the hobby. The Association supports a
web page http://amerisraet.com in which full information about the organization
and a sampling of past articles from the SHEKEL ore shown. The Association attends
nationo! and regional conventions, sponsors study tours to Israel, publication of
boofcs and catologs and other activities which will be of benefit to me members.
A.l.N.A. supports Young Numismatists · programs which encourage and Introduce
youth to our hobby. Audio-visuol and slide programs ore available from 1he A.l.N.A.
archives on many Judoica subjects and ore available at no cost except for
transportation charges. local Israel Numismatic ·Society chapters exist in several
areas. Please write for further information.
The Association publishes me SHEKEL six times a yeor. 11 hos been referred to as
a Jewish Reader's Digest. The SHEKEL is a journal and news magazine prepored for
the enlightemnent and education of the membership. You ore invited to submit an
ortide for publication.
Annual Membership fees:
U.S., Canada and Mexico $18. - Foreign $25.-· Life $300.
Send aU remittances, change of address and correspondence
to AINA% Florence Schuman 12555 Biscayne Blvd #733
North Mian:ii,_ FL 33181
2
President's Message
By Mel Wacks
AINA will be co-sponsoring the Holyland Expo in conjunction with
the Las Vegas Coin, Currency & Stamp Expo at Circus Circus Hotel May
26-28, 2006. For special room rates call (800) 634-3450 and indicate code
DOS ICSC. We will have exhibits and meetings; I hope to see you there.
AINA has a wonderful library of slide programs, as indicated below.
These have been unavailable for some time, but they have now been
transferred to the American Numismatic Association and are available to all
AINA members at no cost .. . to show to family, friends, synagogue and
church groups, :fraternal organizations, etc. Please contact Nancy W. Green,
Librarian, American Numismatic Association, 818 N. Cascade Ave.,
Colorado Springs, CO 80903 ; call 719-482-9859 or email
[email protected]. Please indicate that you are an AINA member.
AINA Slide Programs
1..Learning to Read Hebrew Dates & Numerical Values on Coins and
Currency (80slides)
2. Coin-Medals ofHistorical Cities in Israel (94 slides)
3. Portrait of Israel through its 5 Pound Commemorative Coins ( 104 slides)
4. Formation oflsrael's Defense Forces (67 slides)
5. The Paper Currency ofthe State of Israel (97 slides)
6. Favorite State Medals oflsrael (27 slides)
7. Similarities between Israel's Stamps & Israel's Coins & Medals (29 slides)
8. Masada ( 4 5 slides)
9. Judaic Portrait Medals (67 slides)
10. Jewish Medals oflnterest (56 slides)
11. Your Link With an Enduring Heritage (Jewish-American Hall of Fame
Medals) (49 slides)
12. Trade Coins of Israel (80 slides)
13. The Modern Maccabees ( 54 slides)
14. Herzl and the Jewish Bank (56 slides)
15. Israel Air Force (67 slides)
16. The Menorah on Coins (36 slides)
, 17. Numismatics: From the Beginning (38 slides)
18. The Jewish Connection (125 slides)
19. The History oflsrael in Coins (79 slides)
20. The Menorah on Stamps and Money (60 slides)
Happy Collecting, 3
The Editor's Page
by Edward Schuman
This issue has been mailed a few weeks ahead of time so information
about The Holyland Expo in conjunction with the Las Vegas Coin,
Currency and Stamp Expo at the Circus Circus Hotel May 26-28 would be
received by our members in time.
We are pleased to announce that Life Member Roger J. Merritt has
become a member of A.I.N.A.'s board. Roger is a long time collector of
Israeli numis~atics and the issuer of the Roger J. Merritt Judaic token. He
will bring experience and enthusiasm to the board.
I am sorry to report the passing of Arthur Strickler, a long time
collector of Judaic medals, modem medals of Israel and ancient coins of
Israel. He had special interests in medals created by Paul Vince and Roman
·City coins depicting the foundation of a city (emperor ploughing) on the
reverse. Arthur was a long time member of the INS of NY and its last
secretary-treasurer serving for many years. He was involved in local politics
and worked at the community board of Greenwich Village in lower
Manhattan. He was about 60 years of age.
AINA has also lost a prominent member but not through attrition.
Nahum Hacohen, the first Israel Director of the Israel Government Coins
and Medals Corp. North American office has ceased his membership
because of advanced age and impaired vision. Nahum was a familiar face at
many of the A.I.N.A. functions in the early years. He served AINA in many
ways mediating the occurrences between Morris Bram and the IGCMC.
Nahum comes from an illustrious family. His grandfather, Mordecai Ben
Hacohen was prominent in the early financial affairs of the Yishuv in
Palestine in the early years ofthe 20th century, and his uncle David Hacohen
was always a speaker at the early AINA tours to Israel.
This is a diversified issue with unusual articles. Two of which were
submitted by Canadian members Marvin Tameanko and Harold Alter.
Donna Sims has selected Bill Rosenblum for her profile series article this
issue. This has become a popular column and a good replacement for the
Club Bulletin which ceased to be published because there aren't any Israel
Coin clubs left any longer.
Please submit your idea of the design for the 2007 annual AINA
membership medal. You couldeam the $100 prize.
Till the next issue
4
PIOTRKOW
There is no known specific date for the settling of the first Jews in the
town but early chronicles indicate that, in the year 1487, a law was passed
in Piotrkow which put severe restrictions on Jewish merchants which
forbade them to engage in any kind of commerce. Piotrkow was at that
time the site where the High Tribunal met regularly to issue legislation
governing all of Poland, hence the name "Piotrkow Trybunalski" (the
Tribunal). In the year 1557, the "Piotrkow Constitution" was adopted; it
put many restrictions on the behavior of Jews and permitted them to settle
only in designated districts.
During the five centuries of its existence, this Jewish community of
Poland enjoyed periods of relative tranquility, though interrupted from time
to time with outbursts of vicious anti-Semitism usually attributed to the
infamous "blood libel." However, despite all the anti-Semitic restrictions
and persecutions emanating from the government, as well as from the
church, Jews were able to develop self-government and create institutions
of learning which produced some of the great scholars of the time.
Shortly before the outbreak of the second World War, the Jewish
community of Piotrkow showed great progress in its communal
development. In addition to its ren9wned religious institutions, which
provided high levels of Jewish culture and education, the community also
supported a Hebrew Gymnasium (equivalent to eight years of high school
and junior college) and a well equipped ORT trade school. Jewish
Piotrkow also maintained a sports club named "Maccabi" which was
housed in its own modern building; a Jewish hospital which was well
equipped and manned by trained and dedicated personnel. A large
orphanage in the center of the town with beautiful gardens and play
grounds, and several libraries which contained Yiddish and Hebrew books
and offered spacious reading rooms where the youth of the town
congregated. There was a Jewish amateur theater, three weekly Yiddish
newspapers, and a Jewish musical association called "HaZamir," with
Bensman, a composer renowned throughout the Jewish musical world, as
its musical director.
In the middle of a late springtime Sabbath morning in the Jewish
quarter, the cobblestone streets seem deserted and silent. The stores and
businesses, so bustling with activity the day before, are now padlocked and
covered with heavy iron shutters. Not even the ever-present "Droshkas"
(horse-driven taxis) dare disturb the stillness ofthe Sabbath atmosphere. to
a visit to the Botanical Garden to immeFse ourselves in the beauty of that
5
park in bloom, so fitting for a relaxed Sabbath afternoon. As darkness
approaches, we will all rush home for the Havdalah service, which brings
this wonderful day to a spectacular end.
The Great Synagogue played a central role in the lives ofgenerations
of Piotrkow Jews. In addition to Sabbath and Holiday Services, all major
events in the life of the Jewish community were observed within the
massive, exquisitely decorated walls. Happy events were commemorated
there, observed within its massive, exquisitely decorated walls, as were
tragic occurrences. The lives of many Rabbis and outstanding scholars
were eulogized there. The synagogue was also the meeting place for the
community when in imminent danger of pogroms of other calamities. On
only two occasions in its 150 years of existence were there no prayer
services on Friday evening. The first of these happened in the year 1861,
when the Czarist Russian military occupying authority closed the
Synagogue after it served as the site of a memorial service for five
murdered Polish Freedom Fighters. The second such time was in August,
1914, shortly after the outbreak ofWorld War I, when Russian soldiers and
their local supporters entered the Synagogue and ripped apart its
furnishings with the lame excuse that they were looking for a secret
telephone connection to the German Headquarters.
The Jews of Piotrkow were rightfully proud of their Great Synagogue.
It was a magnificent structure built in the Moorish style. Like a fortress, it
was built on the grounds where a 17th century Synagogue had previously
been destroyed by Jesuit students during an anti-Semitic outburst in 1740.
This Great Synagogue of Piotrkow, which was known throughout Poland
for its beautiful interior, was built in the years 1791-1793. It was a massive
building with exterior walls measuring one and one-half meters in
thickness. Upon entering the synagogue, one first experienced subdued
lighting until the eyes inevitably were struck by the breathtaking sight of
the magnificent gilded artwork on the eastern wall.
The carvings, which were executed by the famous artist David
Friedlander, depicted the Ten Commandments, replicas of the musical
instruments which were used by the Levites in the Temple in Jerusalem and
a carving of a golden crown held by two lions, used by the Levites in the
Temple in Jerusalem, and a carving of a golden crown held by two lions,
one on the right, the other on the left. Over the crown soared a black eagle
with fully extended wings. With its beak directed to the south, the eagle
faced the beautifully decorated ark containing the holy Torahs which it
symbolically protected. Across from the ark stood the golden menorah with
flickering lights and two cherubim on either side. Supported by four
6
columns, and exquisitely decorated by murals depicting the holy places in
Jerusalem, stood the first and second balconies, where the women prayed.
Perhaps the most admirable of the synagogue's artwork was that
which adorned the ceiling. Painted in Rococo style, using a rainbow of
colors, was a tapestry of heavenly bodies and astrological signs which
appeared to be moving through the firmament. Hanging from the ceilings
were elegantly designed, immense, brass chandeliers, which were
illuminated on various holidays. In the middle of the synagogue was a
large, raised platform where the Torah was read. The cantor's pulpit was
next to the ark against the eastern wall, and next to it was an enormous,
handsomely carved chair of honor for the Rabbi of Piotrkow. The last man
to occupy this chair was Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lau, a martyr of blessed
memory. Before him our Chief Rabbi had been Meir Shapiro, founder of
the world renowned Lublin Yeshiva.
It took the Jews of Piotrkow thirty years to collect the funds needed
for the construction of the Great Synagogue. Many famous artists took
part in its completion. In the 150 years of its existence, many of Europe's
great men entered its gates and admired its beauty. Among them were the
Russian Tsar Alexander the First, who visited the Synagogue on his way to
the peace conference in Erfurt. Eight years before that, it was visited by the
Commanding General of the French Expeditionary Army, while in retreat
from Moscow; and, according to legend, the Great Synagogue ofPiotrkow
was visited by Napoleon Bonaparte himself
Little now remained to bear testimony. The buildings, even if extant,
had been stripped oftheir Jewish identity - one could be sure of that. Most
of the people were no longer alive, victims of Hitler's gas chambers and
crematoria. All that remain are memories
During the economic hardship and turmoil which prevailed in Europe
during and after the First World War, many countries were hard pressed to
provide suitable currency for everyday business. It fell to the cities and
states to provide a medium for exchange. Piotrkow was no different than
other parts of Europe in this respect. The town issued notgeld in the form
of perforated coupons which served as money. The specimen illustrated is
valued at 1 kopek and is dated 8 September 1914.
7
AREVOtT
THE STORY' OF BAR KOCHBA ~ A HERO OR A
FOOL?
Few characters are as enigmatic as Simon Bar Cosiba better known as
Shimon bar Kochba. Literature and Legends abound. Historians are
divided: Some call him a hero who, despite the desperate situation, tried to
unite the Jewish people and overthrow the oppression of Rome. Others
believe he was an egomaniac with almost Messianic illusions of grandeur.
There is little accurate information written about him. Some of what we
know are from the Judean Desert Documents, from Talmudic Legends, the
Roman Historian Dio Cassius, and Eusebius a third Century Church
historian.
Bar Kochba is inextricably tied to another towering personality of the
time, Rabbi Ak:iva. His story reads like a novel: Akiva was the son of a
convert to Judaism and worked as a shepherd for one ofthe wealthiest land
owners, Kalba Savuah. Ak:iva, who was illiterate, fell in love with Calbah
Savuah's daughter Rachel and they decided to marry. The enraged father
drove them away and vowed never to recognize their marriage.
Rachel saw beneath the coarse exterior and encouraged him to begin
studying - he was 40 years old. Within 12 years he was renowned, and
within 24 years, he was the leading scholar in Judea. It was the support of
Ak:iva which gave Bar Kochba the power to organize the revolt.
Almost 70 years after the destruction of the Temple, the Jews did not
cower into submission. For the two years of 115-1l7CE the Jews ofEgypt,
Cyrene and Cyprus rose against the Roman dictator. Babylonian Jews as
well unsuccessfully raised the banner of rebellion.
The date 131 CE is important because the first exile lasted for 70
years, and many people believed that the redemption was approaching.
Hadrian was Emperor of Rome, and although he had no enmity to the
Jews, he did believe in Romanization of the colonies including the
unification of the people. More important, he believed in the worship ofthe
Emperor. Many scholars debated these decrees and the reactions to them.
There is an interesting portion of the Hagaddah of Pessach where a
discussion is quoted between the leading sages of the era: Rabbis Eliezer,
Joshua, Elazar ben Azaryah, Tarphon and Akiva. The discussion is about
freedom and its importance. Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah is puzzled: "I am
'like' a man of 70 and I never understood why we have to tell the story also
at night. .... " Why did he say like 70? It is generally agreed that the Rabbis
of that day were planning and deciding whether to take up arms against
Rome. Elazar is really saying, "Hey - it is almost 70 years! When are we
8
